Embryonic Development of Parthenogenetic and Sexual Eggs in Lower Termites.

Worldwide, termites are one of few social insects. In this research, the stages of embryonic development in the parthenogenetic and sexual eggs of and were observed and described. In , the egg development of the FF and FM groups happened during the early phases of development, whereas in , this appeared mainly during the late phase of development.

Elevated expression of immune and DNA repair genes in mated queens and kings of the Reticulitermes chinensis termites.

Studies have identified that mating induces a series of physiological changes in animals. In this period, males tending to invest more energy, immune peptides, and other substances to reduce the cost of living for females. This results in lower survival rates in later life than females.

Transcriptome Assembly and Analysis of Longevity Genes Using Subterranean Termite () Castes.

The longevity phenomenon is entirely controlled by the insulin signaling pathway (IIS-pathway). Both vertebrates and invertebrates have IIS-pathways that are comparable to one another, though no one has previously described de novo transcriptome assembly of IIS-pathway-associated genes in termites. In this research, we analyzed the transcriptomes of both reproductive (primary kings “PK” and queens “PQ”, secondary worker reproductive kings “SWRK” and queens “SWRQ”) and non-reproductive (male “WM” and female “WF” workers) castes of the subterranean termite Reticulitermes chinensis.

Transcriptomic evidence that insulin signalling pathway regulates the ageing of subterranean termite castes.

Insulin is a protein hormone that controls the metabolism of sugar, fat and protein via signal transduction in cells, influencing growth and developmental processes such as reproduction and ageing. From nematodes to fruit flies, rodents and other animals, glucose signalling mechanisms are highly conserved. Reproductive termites (queens and kings) exhibit an extraordinarily long lifespan relative to non-reproductive individuals such as workers, despite being generated from the same genome, thus providing a unique model for the investigation of longevity.

The development of adultoid reproductives and brachypterous neotenic reproductives from the last instar nymphs in Reticulitermes labralis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae): a comparative study.

Secondary reproductives develop primarily from nymphs. However, they have been rarely studied; in particular, the development of adultoid reproductives (AR) with floppy wings is still unclear. In this study, the change in juvenile hormone (JH) levels, vitellogenin gene expression, and oogenesis during the development of AR and brachypterous neotenic reproductives (BN) from the last instar nymphs of Reticulitermes labralis are investigated and compared.

Testicular development and modes of apoptosis during spermatogenesis in various castes of the termite Reticulitermes labralis (Isoptera:Rhinotermitidae).

The separation of reproductive and non-reproductive roles based on caste differentiation is the most prominent characteristic of termites. However, little is known about the mechanism of male reproductive division that underlies caste differentiation. In the present study, testicular development and stage-specific apoptotic patterns were investigated and compared during spermatogenesis in reproductives, workers and soldiers of the termite Reticulitermes labralis.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the "floppy-wing" morph reproductive termite, Reticulitermes labralis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of Reticulitermes labralis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) was determined for its nucleotide sequence of 16 113 bp. Its gene content and organization were identical with other Reticulitermes species. The 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) have typical ATN initiation codon.

Complete mitochondrial genome of a parthenogenetic subterranean termite, Reticulitermes aculabialis Tsai et Hwang (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of a parthenogenetic termite Reticulitermes aculabialis was assembled and analyzed. The mitogenome is 16,475 bp long and contains the same gene repertoire and gene order as other Reticulitermes species (13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes and control region). Coding genes (PCGs, tRNAs and rRNAs) are 14,688 bp in length, occupying 89.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the subterranean termite, Reticulitermes chinensis Snyder (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).

We have determined the complete mitochondrial genome of Reticulitermes chinensis Snyder. The total length of the R. chinensis is 15,925 bp with 65.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the endangered butterfly Luehdorfia taibai Chou (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae).

We have determined the complete mitochondrial genome of the endangered butterfly, Luehdorfia taibai. The total lenth of the L. taibai mitogenome is 15,553 bp with 81% A + T content.

[Immunocytochemical localization of estrogen receptor in the spermatogenesis of termites].

The available information indicates that estrogen receptor(ER) play a physiological role in the regulation of spermatogenesis in vertebrates. However, the cellular distribution of ER in the testis is poorly understood in invertebrates. The aim of this study was to determine the presence and cellular distribution of ER in the spermatogenesis of termite (Reticulitermes aculabialis).